Race Tech Suspension

What Race Tech Suspension does

Race Tech Suspension is a privately held manufacturer of high-performance suspension components and precision engine services for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles, founded in 1984 by Paul Thede and headquartered in Corona, California. The company's core technology centers on proprietary Gold Valve damping kits — customizable valving systems with over 900 variations — combined with a Digital Valving Search (DVS) computer system that calculates personalized setups from over 300,000 possible combinations. Product offerings span revalving kits, complete replacement shocks (G3-S), forks (G6), cartridge kits (G2-R), high-performance springs, TNK fork tubes, specialized tools, and lubricants. A parallel engine services division provides top-end rebuilds, blueprinting, and dyno testing, supported by staff with 65+ combined years of championship-winning engine development experience.

Race Tech monetizes through custom-built-to-order hardware sales, professional suspension and engine services performed at its Corona facility, paid educational seminars ($400–$800 tuition), and a published reference book (Motorcycle Suspension Bible). Distribution occurs via direct-to-consumer shipping, an authorized global Race Tech Centers dealer network for local installation, and an e-commerce storefront with online configuration tools (Product Search, Spring Rate Search, DVS, TNK Fork Tube Search). Customer segments span motocross/dirt bike riders (primary), street motorcycle riders (primary), ATV/UTV owners, vintage motorcycle enthusiasts, snowmobile riders, professional suspension tuners, and engine builders. Premium pricing reaches $2,999–$3,299 per custom fork set, with customized products being non-returnable and prepayment required, indicating a specification-driven, high-touch sales motion rather than off-the-shelf retail.

The company emphasizes content-driven authority marketing through its published Motorcycle Suspension Bible, an in-house seminar curriculum, technical support infrastructure, and a rider sponsorship program that lends credibility via professional racing results (AMA Supercross/Motocross, Vance & Hines XR1200 series, WERA Endurance Championship). Founded as a bootstrapped, founder-owned entity with no disclosed external funding, acquisitions, or public-market activity, Race Tech has operated continuously for over 36 years under Paul Thede's ownership and leadership.

Name

Race Tech Suspension

Legal name

Race Tech Inc

Website

https://racetech.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Race Tech Suspension designs, manufactures, and services high-performance suspension components and precision engine services for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles, selling direct and through a global Race Tech Centers dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Motorcycle Suspension Components

NAICS

Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)

SIC

Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)

akta.pro primary industry

Powersports Chassis, Suspension, Steering & Braking Systems Manufacturing (IMACAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Suspension Systems & Components (Springs/Shocks/Struts/Air Suspension) (IMACAIAA)

Keywords

• Motorcycle suspension components
• High-performance shock absorbers
• Custom suspension valving kits
• Motorcycle fork springs
• Engine building services

Headquarters

HQ city

Corona

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Custom Suspension Products: Sale of custom suspension components including Gold Valves, G3-S Custom Shocks, G2-R Cartridge Kits, G6 Custom Forks, Hi-Performance Springs, and TNK Fork Tubes. Products are custom-built to order for individual applications.
2. Suspension Service: Rebuilding and revalving services for stock and aftermarket suspension components. Customers ship components to Race Tech for service.
3. Engine Services: Precision engine services including top-end rebuilds, blueprinting, and optimization using flow bench, dyno, and track testing.
4. Suspension Seminars: Educational seminars covering suspension theory, shop skills, shock dyno, advanced applications, and engine building. Tuition ranges from $400-$800.
5. Suspension Tools: Wide range of tools for suspension installation, service, and maintenance including fork tools, shock tools, and shop tools.
6. Lubricants: Ultra Slick Suspension Fluid and other lubricants for suspension systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Race Tech designs, manufactures, and installs high-performance suspension components for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles. Core offerings are built-to-order Gold Valves, Hi-Performance Springs, G3-S Custom Shocks, G6 Custom Forks, G2-R Cartridge Kits, and TNK Fork Tubes, supported by professional suspension rebuilding, precision engine services, suspension tools, lubricants, and paid educational seminars.

Product overview

Race Tech Suspension offers a comprehensive portfolio of high-performance suspension solutions and engine services for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles. The core product line centers on Gold Valves (custom valving kits), RT Hi-Performance Springs, G3-S Custom Shocks, G6 Custom Forks, G2-R Cartridge Kits, and TNK Fork Tubes. These components work together as an integrated suspension upgrade system: Gold Valves and Cartridge Emulators replace stock damping components, Hi-Performance Springs provide proper rate support, and the G3-S/G6/G2-R products offer complete replacement solutions for both shocks and forks. The company complements its product portfolio with professional suspension and engine services, a global network of Race Tech Centers, specialized tools, lubricants, and educational seminars. The Digital Valving Search system enables personalized setup calculations for individual riders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gold Valves: Custom valving kits designed to surpass limitations of stock damping designs, including Fork Gold Valves and Shock Gold Valves
• Gold Valve Cartridge Emulators
• G3-S Custom Shocks
• G2-R Cartridge Kits
• G6 Custom Forks
• TNK Fork Tubes
• Digital Valving Search (DVS)
• Race Tech's Motorcycle Suspension Bible

Products and services

• Gold Valves Custom valving kits for forks and shocks designed to replace stock damping components, reducing harshness and improving bottoming resistance, traction, and control for individual rider applications.
• Gold Valve Cartridge Emulators Emulators that retrofit damping rod forks to deliver cartridge-style damping curves with adjustable compression damping for motorcycle and off-road applications.
• RT Hi-Performance Springs Fork and shock springs available in over 600 designs with precise rates, heat-treated and shot-peened construction, targeted at riders needing correct spring rates to match weight and application.
• G3-S Custom Shocks Custom-built-to-order replacement shocks for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and specialty vehicles, integrating Gold Valves and Hi-Performance Springs valved to individual rider specifications.
• G6 Custom Forks Built-to-order custom fork legs for street and road race motorcycles featuring compression and rebound Gold Valves, lightweight springs, and aircraft-grade billet aluminum construction.
• G2-R Cartridge Kits 25mm cartridge kits that replace stock fork dampers with high-performance valved cartridges, custom built to application and rider specifications, including mid-valve and top-out spring technologies.
• TNK Fork Tubes OEM-quality fork tube replacements offered in multiple colors with titanium-nitride coating on colored variants, sold as a less expensive alternative to original equipment.
• Suspension Services Professional suspension revalving, rebuilding, and installation services for stock and aftermarket suspension components, performed by Race Tech technicians on customer-shipped parts.
• Engine Services Precision engine services and engine parts that optimize flow and velocity using flow bench, dyno, and track testing, targeted at engine builders seeking championship-validated development support.
• Suspension Tools Specialized tools for suspension installation, service, and maintenance, including fork tools, shock tools, shop tools, dyno mounts, and engine tools sold to professional tuners and DIY riders.
• Lubricants Ultra Slick Suspension Fluid and related lubricants sold for use in motorcycle and powersports suspension maintenance and performance tuning.
• Suspension Seminars Paid multi-day educational seminars covering suspension theory, shop skills, shock dyno operation, advanced suspension applications, and engine building, taught by Paul Thede and Race Tech instructors for mechanics, tuners, and enthusiasts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Bottoming resistance increased while harshness decreased - proven in testing
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Works Performance Products: Works Performance is a US aftermarket motorcycle suspension and shock manufacturer. It competes with Race Tech in street and cruiser motorcycle suspension, with a smaller catalog focused primarily on shock absorbers and related components.

Direct peers

• Fox Racing Shox: Fox is the leading aftermarket and OEM motorsports suspension manufacturer for motorcycles, mountain bikes, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles. It directly competes with Race Tech in the motorcycle and powersports suspension aftermarket with broader scale and OEM relationships.
• Öhlins Racing: Öhlins is a premium Swedish manufacturer of motorcycle, automotive, and motorsport suspension. It competes directly with Race Tech in the high-end motorcycle suspension aftermarket and is featured as a competitor on Race Tech's own website.
• Penske Racing Shocks: Penske Racing Shocks designs and manufactures high-end suspension for motorcycle, automotive, and powersports racing applications. It competes with Race Tech in the professional and amateur racing suspension segment with premium custom-built products.
• Progressive Suspension: Progressive Suspension is a US aftermarket motorcycle suspension specialist producing shocks, fork springs, and lowering kits. It competes with Race Tech in cruiser, touring, and street motorcycle suspension markets with strong distribution in the V-twin segment.
• Marzocchi: Marzocchi is an Italian motorcycle and mountain bike suspension manufacturer with deep motorsports heritage. It competes with Race Tech in motorcycle fork and shock aftermarket, particularly in motocross and off-road segments.
• WP Suspension (KTM Group): WP is the premium powersports suspension brand within the KTM/Pierer Mobility group, serving motocross, enduro, and street motorcycle segments. It competes directly with Race Tech in aftermarket and racing-focused suspension for motorcycles and powersports.
• Elka Suspension: Elka is a Canadian manufacturer of aftermarket shocks and suspension for motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles. It is a direct competitor to Race Tech in the same powersports aftermarket categories with similar custom-build positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Showa: Showa is a Japanese OEM suspension supplier for major motorcycle manufacturers (Honda, Kawasaki). Its aftermarket offerings overlap with Race Tech's motorcycle suspension products, particularly in OEM-replacement and upgrade categories.
• KYB: KYB is a major Japanese OEM and aftermarket suspension manufacturer supplying motorcycles and powersports vehicles globally. It competes with Race Tech across both OEM channels and aftermarket replacement products, with substantially greater scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/RaceTechSuspen
• Facebookfacebook.com/RaceTechSuspension
• Instagraminstagram.com/racetechinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/race-tech

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Race Tech Suspension